Poster competition to beat prejudice

The winner of a poster competition designed to tackle prejudice against disabled people was announced on Wednesday evening (December 11).

The competition, organised by Enfield Hate Crime Forum, asked young people aged between six and 12 to identify and draw a poster of their favourite Paralympian and explain why they were an inspiration. More than 250 children took part in the contest which aimed to build on the success of the Paralympic Games and use the positive images, memories and experiences that the games created to break down prejudice.

The winner, Tasia Joseph from Brimsdown Primary School', received an Xbox 360, for her poster of Paralympic Swimmer Ellie Simmonds, while first runner up Freddie Calnan from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School', won a Sony MP3 player and 18 other runners up received £10 gift vouchers.

Enfield Council's Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Public Health, Cllr Christine Hamilton, said: "Tackling prejudice against different groups starts with the young and I'm delighted we are working with children to promote disabled people as inspirational role models.

"The performance of our paralympics athletes was a remarkable testament to the dedication and hard work they put into their sports and the way the overcame their own particular disabilities made their performance in the summer even more remarkable.

"In Enfield we want to show our young people that you can achieve remarkable things, regardless of your personal circumstances, break down barriers and celebrate the achievements of all our residents regardless of their age, race, sex, culture or disability or sexual orientation."